Meaning & use
defiant
Last updated
UK/dɪˈfaɪ.ənt/
US/dɪˈfaɪ.ənt/
Meaning
adjectivecomparable
Openly refusing to obey or to give in to someone with authority or power.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after a verb: a defiant look; he remained defiant.
Patterns
- defiant in the face of something
- defiant of something
The students stayed defiant despite the warnings.
She gave a defiant shake of her head.
He remained defiant in the face of criticism.
Word forms
| comparative | more defiant |
|---|---|
| superlative | most defiant |
Common combinations
- defiant gesture
- He raised a defiant fist.
- remain defiant
- The team remained defiant after the loss.
- defiant tone
- She spoke in a defiant tone.
- defiant look
- The boy gave his teacher a defiant look.
Synonyms and how they differ
- rebellious
- Rebellious describes a general habit of resisting rules, while defiant describes a specific act or stance.
- disobedient
- Disobedient simply means not following orders and does not suggest boldness.
- insubordinate
- Insubordinate is formal and applies to someone refusing orders from a superior.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: defiant or deviant?
defiant vs deviant
Deviant means different from what is normal; defiant means openly resisting.
Practice
Though warned to stop, the protesters stayed ___ and kept marching.
Choose one answer.
Defiant means boldly refusing to submit. Compliant is the opposite, and hesitant or reluctant suggest uncertainty rather than bold refusal.
Make it your own
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